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What is acid reflux relief?

In medically oriented terms, antonyms of the word relief include pain, distress or damage. That links its meaning to both subjective and objective aspects. Subjective, denoting sensations experienced by the sufferer such as pain and objective, meaning physical findings detected by specialists which are either functional distress or organic damage. Actually relief is related to control measures and it quantitatively signifies removal of an unpleasant existence or reduction of its magnitude. The definition of relief, therefore encompasses alleviation of pain, relaxation of distress and healing of damage. Acid reflux on the other hand has two sides; the subjective side (symptoms) which reflects the symptom of heartburn and the objective side (signs) that reflects the functional and/or organic signs of esophageal changes. Acid reflux relief is therefore a broad term that covers all the measures used to control symptoms and signs of acid reflux disease. Normally, the lower esophageal sphincter remains closed except during swallowing. This prevents the passage of food and acid from the stomach into the esophagus. If the lower esophageal sphincter becomes weakened or relaxed, stomach acid may back up into the esophagus. Frequent acid reflux can irritate and inflame the lining of the esophagus, causing symptoms and signs of acid reflux. A better understanding of relief would thus entail knowledge of some aspects of normal structure and function, so that changes in the disease and its control could be easily considered. Actually acid reflux relief involves both preventive and curative measures, and in addition to treatment; orientation with the causes, symptoms and complications of acid reflux are essential for proper management. Acid reflux relief includes: dietary changes,lifestyle modifications, specific medications and surgical operations.Basic knowledge of the underlying causes and progression of acid reflux and answering frequently asked questions about its relief; add to the depth of understanding.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Acid Reflux Relief logoAcid reflux and bronchial asthma

Is there any relationship between heartburn and asthma?
Bronchial asthma may cause acid reflux disease and heartburn:
Mechanically by air trapping associated with bronchial asthma which results in flattening of the diaphragm. As the lower esophageal sphincter is surrounded by diaphragmatic muscle fibers, their weakened support increases relaxation of the sphincter and promotes reflux.
Chemically by drugs commonly used for treatment of asthma:
Theophylline increases gastric secretion and relaxes sphincter
Albuterol also relaxes lower esophageal sphincter.
On the other hand, Acid reflux may cause bronchial asthma:
Reflux may induce reflex bronchial spasm
Acid may be aspirated in minimal amounts and initiate broncho-constriction
Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract associated with reflux releases chemical substances which mediate bronchospasm.
About 75% of patients with asthma have acid reflux disease. Reflux symptoms usually precede attacks of wheezy chest. Asthma is also initiated by the same dietary and lifestyle factors which trigger acid reflux symptoms. There is a good response to proton pump inhibitors given twice daily and treatment should continue for at least two months.

Related posts:
Extra-esophageal symptoms of acid reflux

Posted by SSS at 10:19 AM

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